They say fashion recycles motifs and trends every twenty years or so. It could be argued that’s nearly true for music styles. German quartet Avralize is pulling on the threads of late 00’s/early 2010’s style to blend it into a modern Metalcore outfit. 

“Lotus” kicks off their debut album, Freaks (Arising Empire) and the electronic/synth elements make it impossible to not remember genre-bending frontrunners like Attack Attack!, Breathe Carolina, and Abandon All Ships. “Higher” continues the electronic opening pattern but things tip more into the heavier side of Metalcore with thick, pulsing riffs and powerful, unclean vocals.

The pace doesn’t slow by mid-album’s “Canvas” but it does showcase frontman Severin Sailer’s clean vocals over his impressive screams and demonstrates experimentation using a saxophone solo towards the end of the track which feels like a nod to groups like Shrezzers.

Metalcore fans will don their ‘stank face’ with the “uuueeegh” present in the breakdown of “Overdose”. It’s a slow five-and-a-half-minute burn which makes the build-up that much sweeter. The title track closes out the eight-track album and not once does Avralize falter within their consistent delivery.

With album-wide themes of acceptance, anxiety, and trauma, everyone can find relatability within Freaks. Stylistically, Metalcore and all its sub-genre lovers will find aspects and tracks that scratch all the right itches. Avralize feels like the comfort of your favorite boots paired with a brand-new hoodie – familiar with a new twist. 

Buy the album here:
https://arisingempire.com/freaks

7 / 10
JESSIE FRARY